Former Bundesliga professional Jean-Paul Boetius has been diagnosed with cancer again. The 29-year-old made the announcement on Friday evening
Jean-Paul Boetius has suffered another stroke of fate. As the currently clubless midfielder announced via Instagram, he has been diagnosed with cancer again. The Dutchman was diagnosed with testicular cancer on September 22, 2022, but had already celebrated a comeback at Hertha BSC four weeks later.
After the Berliners were relegated, he terminated his contract with the Old Lady in the summer and left the capital club. He has been without a club ever since. Most recently, he has been keeping fit at the TIFA Football School in his home city of Rotterdam. “You can do individual training there and a few Dutch professional players also train there,”
Cancer has spread
Now, however, another private setback followed. Even once he had overcome the cancer, it had spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, Boetius explained on Friday evening and announced: “This means that I will have to undergo chemotherapy followed by rehabilitation.”
However, he is trying to maintain his positive attitude. He is already eagerly looking forward to the day when he can play in a full stadium again. Mental support and encouragement came from ex-Union player Sheraldo Becker. “You can do it bro,” commented the Dutch-born striker.
Boetius once started his career at Feyenoord Rotterdam. He made the leap to the Bundesliga via FC Basel, KRC Genk and Feyenoord. He flourished in Mainz, scoring 13 goals in 129 games over four seasons (2018/19 to 2021/2022). At Hertha BSC, the one-time Netherlands international also made 21 appearances (no goals)
